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There was a debate we used to have in the days of BoE-- is it better for new designers to attempt to make epics that they'll never complete, or should they settle for smaller works that are very unambitious? This debate was one that could only take place with the luxury of a wide library of scenarios already existence and a vibrant community producing more regularly.

That's not a luxury we've got here, so I'm going to repeat myself again: Smaller scenarios that are plain and simple are best for new designers.

Making a scenario is an experience that you have to do once before you can do again. Trust me; I know what I'm talking about. Just do it once. In fact, this might be sorta telling: JV himself wrote this in his walkthrough, and I agree. I might have busted out making something ambitious, and even new designers might appear out of nowhere with something ambitious as their first efforts. Keep in mind: One, I have been doing this for years. Two, those designers are the exceptions, and you cannot count on being them.

And so: What's a REALLY EASY scenario you could make, RIGHT NOW? Here's one: The Empire wants to conquer a new region, but there's an indigenous tribe of goblins in the way. The party, the town's guardians, attack the tribe but find it to be small. The party returns to the town to find that it has been taken over by the rest of the tribe, who now have a fortified city and superior equipment. The end.

Now. All you would have to do for that scenario is create one small outdoor section, one walled frontier town, one small goblin cave, and a variant of the original town that's taken by the goblins. If you want, you could make it possible for the party to take back the town, but that's not even necessary. I could whip that up in a day, and you could probably whip it up before the contest. Yes, you.

In fact, I'll do that. No great plot spoilers here; you all now know how it's going to end. But what I WILL do is include a meticulously updated design notebook so you can tell exactly what I did and when I did it. Then, your quest will be (presumably) easier: Just write a dinky little scenario. I don't care if it's plain; if you write a scenario that's mediocre, beta-testing can make it at least playable and moderately enjoyable, and you can only get better from there. START SMALL. Let me repeat: START SMALL.

I am sick and tired of seeing new designers posting their ambitious plans. (I will not name anyone in particular here.) Take maybe three days' worth off of your effort and attempt to design something small, and THEN you will be FAR more sure whether or not your plan in question will work or not.

(And yeah, folks, you actually can expect me to make this scenario. I'm busy for most of today; expect it by the end of tomorrow instead unless I'm drunk or high or something.)

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Originally written by Spent Salmon:

Why would anyone voluntarily commit a post to ezboards? That would be like designing for BoE.

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Originally written by Tyran:

Basically, what I've done with my forum was to do what Overwhelming attempted to do a while back. I succeeded where he failed because people actually like me. :P

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Originally written by Kelandon:

Well, I'm at least pretty sure that Salmon is losing.

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Originally written by Tyran:

I succeeded where he failed because people actually like me. :P

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Originally written by Thralni:

I like Shadowvale as much as I do, because of Tyran and his beautiful body - the simple reason is that it feels like freedom to clasp my hands around him (of course this is a personal thing)...

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